WINDOWS SERVER - How to demote a domain controller in Windows Server 2012 and later versions

WINDOWS SERVER - How to demote a domain controller in Windows Server 2012 and later versions

The purpose of this article is to outline ways of demoting domain controllers in Server 2012 & 2012 R2. For over a decade 'dcpromo.exe' has been the method to demote a domain controller (DC). This is no longer the case.

NOTE: This does not actually remove the role, but signals the wizard to offer the option to demote.

6.) The wizard offers up associated features. Click the Remove Features button

7.) A Validation Results dialog box will appear with a message stating "The Active Directory domain controller needs to be demoted …" . Click the link that says "Demote this domain controller".

8.) Enter new credentials with rights to demote the server or keep the existing credentials.

9.) If the reason for DC demotion is that it has lost contact with the domain, it will be necessary to force its removal and manually remove its artifacts (metadata cleanup - see link below). Select the option 'Force the removal of this domain controller'.

10.) If this DC is the only DC remaining, ensure 'Last Domain Controller in the Domain' checkbox is marked; otherwise clear the box. ClickNext.

11.) Click Next at the Warnings screen.

12.) Set a new local administrator password.

13.) Click Demote.

14.) The server will demote and automatically reboot. The AD DS binaries are still present on the server, but the server is no longer a domain controller.

Demoting a 2012 / 2012 R2 DC using Powershell (quick and easy method)

1.) Open a Powershell Prompt

2). Enter 'uninstall-addsdomaincontroller'

a.) To do a forceremoval add '<cmdstring> -forceremoval $true' to the command line

3. Enter the new local Administrator password when prompted and press Enter.

4. Confirm the password and press Enter.

5. Accept the default and press enter.

6. The server will demote and automatically reboot. The AD DS binaries will still be present on the server, but the server will have demoted.

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